Event Date Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Mr. Ed Grier, Dean, School of Business, VCU Since March 2010, Ed Grier has served as dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business. Under his leadership, the school is implementing an ambitious strategic plan, EPIC, to drive the future of business through the power of creativity. Dean Grier began his career in public accounting before rising through the global executive ranks of Disney, one of the world’s most creative businesses. His executive leadership style sets the tone for big thinking and productive collaboration. Highlights include the VCU Brandcenter becoming part of the School of Business, creation of the International Consulting Program, and launch of the Master of Decision Analytics Professional Track degree program and the Online MBA. Dean Grier’s leadership within the university includes an assignment as interim vice president for development and alumni relations from March to September 2017. He is on the steering committee for the university budget redesign and has chaired several key university leadership search committees. Before coming to VCU, Grier spent 29 years with the Walt Disney Company. His career spanned the globe from Orlando to Paris to Tokyo to Anaheim, giving him priceless insight into the international perspectives needed for students to flourish now and in the future. As President of Disneyland Resort, he led an operation that comprises nearly $2 billion in annual revenue and 20,000 employees. Grier earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Duquesne University in 1977 before starting his career as a CPA and auditor at Ernst and Ernst (now known as Ernst and Young). He joined Disney in 1981. Grier plays an active role in the Central Virginia community, serving as a board member of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, ChildFund International, NVR Inc and the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a trustee of Brandman University, part of the Chapman University System in California. Updated April 2018 .